Ruby's Crockett helps Precision prevail in world championships

By JIM WHYMER
Times Herald

Tyler Crockett enjoyed quite a comeback to powerboat racing.

The Ruby resident had been racing 17 years before taking the 2002 season off for personal reasons.

Crockett was back on the water this year and completed an outstanding season with an American Powerboating Association championship.

Crockett, who owns Fortress Racing of Ruby, captured the World Championship Offshore Powerboat championship aboard Precision last month in Orange Beach, Ala.

"This was the biggest race of the season," Crockett said. "It's the Super Bowl of powerboat racing."

The two-day event is part of the APBA Offshore Series and Great Lakes Silver Cup Series

Tyler Crockett

Crockett was lured out of retirement by Precision co-owners Mark Slater of Waterford and Bruce Barron of Oxford.

While Crockett was on the throttle, Slater drove the boat and Barron was the crew chief.

The boat competed in the six-boat Bracket Performance 3 Division, consisting of boats 30-38 feet.

Marine City's Patrick Dunn drove Let's Play Again to a first-place finish in the Factory II Division. The boat is owned by Kevin Hatcher and Darien Hatcher of Marine City.

Darien plays for the Detroit Red Wings.

Crockett, 40, put together a productive season as he finished second in Fort Lauderdale and third in St. Petersburg. His first race aboard the boat was last April in the Bahamas.

Boats must place in two national events to be eligible for the world championships.

The veteran powerboat builder was forced to do some major repair on the boat after the opening day of race at the world championships, which drew 60 boats.

Strong winds on the Gulf of New Mexico resulted in rough racing conditions.

"The first day we had 6- to- 8-foot waves," Crockett said. "We probably averaged about 88 miles per hour, but the boat took a pretty good beating.

"We ended up lowering the engine. That seemed to work well for us the final day of racing."

Drivers had to make five laps around the 9.2-mile course, which featured a four-mile straightaway.

Precision was sitting in second after the opening competition, 32 seconds out of first. With a strong showing on the final race, Crockett and crew won by 21/2 minutes.

"It was a great feeling to win a world championship," Crockett said. "It's a big commitment and a lot of time away from my family, but I enjoyed it."

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2003